Texas and Pacific Terminal Complex
Lancaster and Throckmorton Sts., Fort Worth, TXThe Texas and Pacific Terminal Complex, an architectural monument which defines the south limit of the Fort Worth central Business District, is the design of Wyatt C. Hedrick, prominent and prolific Fort Worth architect. The Terminal/office Building, the adjoining Express Building and commissary, and the Inbound Warehouse/Sales Building display the excellence of craftsmanship and design found in examples of the Art Deco movement of 1920-1940. The Passenger/Freight terminal Complex represents the critical position of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in providing a network for sustaining the growth of livestock, oil, and other primary economic activities in the Southwest Corporate investment on the part of the Texas and Pacific, as represented by the Terminal complex, may be credited for positively influencing the prosperity and population growth of Fort Worth. In early 1873, public spirited citizens donated property and physical labor to induce the Texas and Pacific Railroad to extend its line to the city. The first monumental term in Fort Worth for the T&P was a red-brick structure of Neo-Romanesque Richardsonian-type design built in 1900. This red-brick terminal stood until replaced in 1930 by the present T&P Passenger Station and office building. Between 1910 and 1920 the population of Fort Worth increased from 73,312 to 106,482 due to the Armour, Swift, McNeil, and Libby packing plants and to West Texas Oil activities. In this early period of its development, Fort Worth received benefits mainly because of its railroad connections and because it was the closest city of any size to the cattle ranges and oil fields, making it a logical center for capital investment. By the end of 1928, Fort Worth had grown to a point that the existing terminal facilities were in need of expansion or replacement. It would have been impossible for the railroad to proceed with a building program without funds for street improvement made available by passage of a $3 million bond election. The new passenger and freight terminals were located adjacent to the 1900 terminal on the tract of land donated to the railroad in 1873. T&P investment in Fort Worth amounted to a $13 million building programme which initiated development that was foreseen to "make this a metropolis of 1,000,000." The building programme included the Lancaster Yards, T&P passenger station, and the T&P warehouse, Twenty percent of all T&P investment money was reportedly spent in Fort Worth. This investment was acknowledged and praised by a number of commercial, public, and fraternal organizations including the Association of Commerce and Rotary Club of the city. The T&P Terminal complex was part of a larger Five-Year Work Program underwritten by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. This expansion may have been partially responsible for a delayed local effect of the National depression. The Texas and Pacific Terminal Building marks both the zenith and the end of great railroad era in Fort Worth. The days when crowds of people thronged through the terminal -- estimated as high as 50,000 in a 24-hour span -- were during World War II years. Railroads began eliminating trains in the late 1950s as air traffic grew; a decade later complete shutdown occurred and tenants of the Terminal Building began to leave. The Terminal Complex, a significant Fort Worth example of the Art Deco style, was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick. Wyatt Cephas Hedrick was born 17 December 1888 and died 5 May 1964. Hedrick was a nationally known architect-engineer and a native of Chatham, Virginia, who subsequently relocated to Texas and established a practice in Fort Worth and Houston. He owned the W. C, Hedrick Construction Company from 1914 until 1922, when became a partner in the firm of Sanguinet, Staats, & Hedrick Architects and Engineers, later buying out his associates. At about the same time that he designed the Texas and Pacific passenger terminal Hedrick also had on the drawing board the following buildings, all located in Fort Worth: the Fair Building, the Fort Worth Power and Light Building, the Texas and Pacific Freight Terminal, The Gas Building, the Aviation Building, and the Trinity Life Building, the Texas Electric Service Company Building (1929), the Hollywood Theater (1929), the Texas Christian University Coliseum, the Will Rogers Coliseum, and a number of fire stations for the City of Fort Worth.
Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Tarrant County was established in 1849 and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader during the Texas Revolution. The county experienced significant growth and development throughout the 19th century, fueled by factors such as the expansion of railroads, cattle ranching, and the discovery of oil.
During the 20th century, Tarrant County continued to flourish and adapt to changing times. It became an important hub for transportation, commerce, and industry. The county's largest city, Fort Worth, emerged as a major center for cattle trading and eventually diversified into a vibrant economic and cultural hub.
Today, Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, encompassing Fort Worth and several other cities and communities. It boasts a diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Tarrant County is also home to renowned educational institutions, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities, making it a dynamic and thriving region within the state.
Tarrant County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Tarrant County, Texas.
Pre-19th Century: The area was inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Wichita and Comanche, before European settlement.
1849: Tarrant County was officially established and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader in the Republic of Texas.
1850s: Fort Worth, the county seat, began as a military outpost on the Trinity River, providing protection for settlers and serving as a stop on the Chisholm Trail cattle drive route.
Late 19th Century: The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth in Fort Worth and the county. The city became a center for the cattle industry, agriculture, and trade.
20th Century: Tarrant County experienced significant urbanization and diversification. Fort Worth became a major hub for the oil and gas industry, aviation, and defense with the establishment of military bases.
Civil Rights Era: Tarrant County, like many regions in the United States, faced challenges and changes during the civil rights movement, with efforts to achieve racial equality and social progress.
Modern Times: Tarrant County continues to thrive as a major economic and cultural center in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, and education.